Apple TV+ acquires new "The Beanie Bubble" movie, starring Zach Galifianakis and Elizabeth Banks

Apple TV+ has announced the acquisition of a new movie from Imagine Entertainment, “The Beanie Bubble”. The new film is written by Kristin Gore (“Saturday Night Live,” “Futurama”) and co-directed by Gore and Damian Kulash (OK Go).

In March 2021, Apple signed a multi-year, first-look deal with Ron Howard and Brian Grazer of Imagine Entertainment to produce films for its streaming service. The tech giant also extended its existing first-look deal with the production company which was signed in 2019.

“The Beanie Bubble” is the first film ordered from that exclusive first-look deal between Apple and Imagine Entertainment which will be produced by Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, and Karen Lunder, president of Imagine Features.

Apple TV+ new movie “The Beanie Bubble” on America’s biggest craze in the 90s

The screenplay of the new movies is based on the book “The Great Beanie Baby Bubble: Mass Delusion and the Dark Side of Cute” which tells the story of the American obsession in the 90s; its struggles and horrors.

“The Beanie Bubble” is inspired by the story behind one of the biggest speculative crazes that blazed through American culture in the ’90s. It pulls back the curtain on the absurdities and injustices of the American Dream — particularly the female relationship to it. It’s a celebration of the women who helped power Ty Warner’s success, whose strengths and good instincts shaped and amplified the phenomenon, but whose names are not on the Beanie Babies’ heart-shaped tags.

The Beanie Bubble will star Zach Galifianakis (“Between Two Ferns,” “Baskets”), Elizabeth Banks (“The Hunger Games,” “Love and Mercy”), Sarah Snook (“Succession,” “Predestination”), and Geraldine Viswanathan (“Broken Hearts Gallery,” “Hala”) and others. Galifianakis also serves as executive producer of the film.

In addition to “The Beanie Bubble”, the TV+ Studio is also in talks to finalize the deal for the acquisition of another original movie based on Formula 1 racing. It will star Brad Pitt as a retired Formula 1 driver turned into a coach for younger aspirants.

“The Beanie Bubble” joins an expanding lineup of Apple Original Films including the recently premiered “Swan Song,” starring and produced by Mahershala Ali; Joel Coen’s upcoming acclaimed film “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” starring Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand; as well as highly anticipated upcoming films “Emancipation,” a new film from director Antoine Fuqua, and starring and produced by Academy Award nominee Will Smith; “Killers of the Flower Moon,” directed by Martin Scorsese, and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro; and “Spirited,” a musical rendition of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday story starring Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds and Octavia Spencer. – Apple